Ann Arbor, Michigan, September 16, 2011. 

October 14-16, 2011, the Armenian Studies Program at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, will host the second workshop on “The State of Armenian Studies.” The project as a whole, aims to create a quantitative and qualitative analysis of existing programs, organizations and institutions relevant to Armenian studies.

The primary aim of this session will be the consideration of the first draft report prepared by the team at the University of Michigan. The dates of the workshop will coincide with a series of events marking the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Alex Manoogian Chair in Modern Armenian History and of the formalization of the Armenian Studies Program of the University. For a detailed schedule please see our website: http://www.ii.umich.edu/asp.

This project has been conducted on two levels: workshops that strategize the project and a research team at the University of Michigan that processes the data and produces initial analysis. The first workshop in 2008, also held on the Ann Arbor campus, defined the parameters of the project and included the participation of leading scholars from Europe, Armenia and the US. The final report, completed by May 2012, will also consider recommendations to all parties interested in the various dimensions represented by the field.

The project is managed by Mr. Vahe Sahakyan, a PhD student in the Near Eastern Studies Department of the University, with volunteer support from Ms. Naira Tumanyan, a graduate student in the Master’s degree program at the Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies of the university. Professor Gerard Libaridian directs the project with support from the Executive Committee of the Armenian Studies Program at the University.

Support for the project has been provided by the Harry Ardashes Paul Memorial Fund, established by Dr. Ara Paul in memory of his brother, Harry Ardashes. Dr. Ara Paul, a founding Dean of the School of Pharmacology, now retired, has been a valuable member of the Armenian Studies Program and university communities.

The project has had the enthusiastic sponsorship and practical support of the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR). NAASR has been the vanguard organization that initiated the drive for the establishment of Armenian studies chairs in American universities and has convened a number of conferences to assess progress in the field.